Key Facts
Background
Mateo Dunne graduated summa cum laude from Emory University, earning an M.A. in history and an M.S. in International Affairs. He then studied law at Georgetown University [1]. He served as Deputy Chief Counsel for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency, helping establish funds for energy technology innovation. Dunne served as Chief Operations Officer for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Renewable Energy, leading business operations. He has also been the General Attorney for the U.S. Department of Defense’s Legal Services Agency, representing the Federal Government’s Interests in proceedings before regulatory agencies. Dunne also spent time as an Associate General Counsel for the U.S. Department of Defense’s Missile Defense Agency, supporting multilateral safeguarding efforts. In the private sector, Dunne was Co-Chair of the American Bar Association’s International Trade Committee for 3 years [7]. In addition, Dunne serves as General Counsel for the African Development Foundation, as well as Staff Counsel for the American Frontier Fund, both non-profit organizations [3]. He has also served as Vice President for the Stratford Landing Citizens Association and has been a member of Good Shepherd Housing’s Community Advisory Panel since 2021 [1].
Key Issues
Curriculum
Dunne wants to establish summer accelerator camps, a Young Scholars program, dual enrollment, and advanced academic centers. Through local partnerships, he seeks to increase workforce development programs and vocational education [1].
Teachers
Dunne seeks to empower educators. He believes in collective bargaining and wants to provide competitive pay and benefits to FCPS staff. In 2016, he co-led a coalition that worked with teachers’ unions to save high school sports, music education, and language immersion from elimination [1].
School Safety
Dunne advocates for higher security precautions to protect against gun violence. He wants to install weapon detection systems at every school and create security vestibules [1].
Budget
Dunne believes that the current FCPS budget is inefficient [2]. In 2017, Dunne led a campaign to diversify revenue sources for FCPS and reduce reliance on property taxes. Dunne also supports universal pre-kindergarten, which will require increased funding from the State and County [1].
Accessibility
To include students with special needs, Dunne hopes to implement the recommendations of the Comprehensive Special Education Program Review, requiring every FCPS employee to be educated on neurodiversity through Professional Development programs. He also wants to create financial incentives to recruit special education teachers [1].
Endorsements
Karen Corbett Sanders, School Board Member; Dan Storck, Supervisor; Kris Amundson, School Board Member; Stella Pekarsky. School Board Member; Megan McLaughlin, School Board Member; Scott Surovell, State Senator; Mark Sickles, Delegate; Jeff McKay, Chairman; Sharon Bulova, Chairman
Sources
1 Mateo Dunne | School Board
2 Mount Vernon On The Move
3 Zippia
4 VPAP
5 Fairfax Democrats
6 Patch
7 America’s Frontier Fund